Resilient ring-shaped clip installation method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an installation method and apparatus for installing a resilient ring-shaped clip into engagement with a recess of a recipient channel. The apparatus generally comprises a clip delivery structure having a delivery channel formed therein and comprising an input for receiving the clip, a converging portion for radially biasing the clip, and an output for delivering the radially biased clip to the recipient channel. A clip stabilization mechanism may also be present for stabilizing the clip in the delivery channel, and for disengaging the clip upon application of an axial force to the clip that results in its passage through the delivery channel. Also disclosed is a clip delivery mechanism for displacing a clip through such a delivery channel and the recipient channel until engagement of the clip with the recess, wherein the clip stabilization mechanism disengages upon axial displacement of the clip by the clip delivery mechanism.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to clips, and installation methods andapparatus therefor, and in particular, to a resilient ring-shaped clipinstallation method and apparatus.

BACKGROUND

C-clips (also known as circlips or snap rings) are generally known inthe art to consist of an open-ring or c-shaped clip used, for example,to engage an annular groove circumferentially formed within a bore or onthe surface of a shaft, or the like. Such installation generally servesto restrict axial movement of parts abutting the clip without impedingrotation, for example.

Various tools have been developed to facilitate installation of c-clipson a shaft, such as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2010/01923445 to Monyak et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,210,219 to Thai.

Installation of such clips for engagement with a corresponding recess orgroove formed within and circumscribing a bore, however, can prove moredifficult. Some tools and techniques have nonetheless been proposed tofacilitate such installations, whereby the clip is generally introducedwithin the bore by various means, compressed, and ultimately releasedfor engagement with the recess. Some examples are provided in U.S. Pat.No. 7,827,888 to Tatsumi, U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,313 to Hendricks, U.S.Pat. No. 6,507,985 to Loughlin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,134,168 toErdmann, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,740,590 to Hardman.

As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the above and other suchtechniques suffer from various drawbacks. Therefore, there remains aneed for a resilient ring-shaped clip installation method and apparatusthat overcome some of the drawbacks of known technologies, or at least,provides the public with a useful alternative.

This background information is provided to reveal information believedby the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention.No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that anyof the preceding information constitutes prior art against the presentinvention.

SUMMARY

An object of the invention is to provide a resilient ring-shaped clipinstallation method and apparatus that overcome some of the drawbacks ofknown technologies, or at least, provides the public with a usefulalternative. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there isprovided an apparatus for installing a resilient ring-shaped clip withina recipient channel by engagement with a corresponding recess formedtherein, comprising: a clip delivery structure having a delivery channelformed therein for coaxial alignment with the recipient channel, saiddelivery channel comprising an input for receiving the clip in saiddelivery channel, a conically converging portion for radially biasingthe clip upon axial displacement of the clip therethrough, and an outputshaped and sized for delivery of the radially biased clip to therecipient channel; a clip delivery mechanism for axially displacing theclip through said delivery channel and recipient channel untilengagement of the clip with the recess; and a clip stabilizationmechanism for stabilizing the clip in said delivery channel insubstantial coaxial alignment with said delivery channel, anddisengaging the clip upon axial displacement of the clip by said clipdelivery mechanism.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided an apparatus for delivering a resilient ring-shaped clip to arecipient channel for engagement with a corresponding recess formedtherein, the apparatus comprising: a delivery structure having adelivery channel formed therein for coaxial alignment with the recipientchannel and comprising an input for receiving the clip, a conicallyconverging portion for radially biasing the clip upon axial displacementof the clip therethrough, and an output shaped and sized for delivery ofthe radially biased clip to the recipient channel; and a clipstabilization mechanism for stabilizing the clip in substantial coaxialalignment with the delivery channel, and disengaging the clip uponapplication of an axial force to the clip resulting in an axialdisplacement thereof through said delivery channel.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there isprovided a method for installing a resilient ring-shaped clip within arecipient channel by engagement with a corresponding recess formedtherein, comprising: coaxially aligning a clip delivery channel with therecipient channel, said clip delivery channel conically converging to ashape and size corresponding with that of the recipient channel;positioning the clip in said delivery channel; releasably stabilizingthe clip in substantial coaxial alignment with said delivery channel;and applying an axial force to the releasably stabilized clip to axiallydisplace the clip through said conically converging delivery channel,thereby radially biasing the clip and delivering the radially biasedclip through the recipient channel until engagement thereof with therecess.

Other aims, objects, advantages and features of the invention willbecome more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictivedescription of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of exampleonly with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Several embodiments of the present disclosure will be provided, by wayof examples only, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a resilient ring-shaped clip coaxiallyaligned with a recipient channel for installation therein by engagementwith a corresponding recess formed therein, in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2 to 9 are cross sectional views of an apparatus for installing aresilient ring-shaped clip within a recipient channel by engagement witha corresponding recess formed therein, in accordance with one embodimentof the invention, successive figures showing successive steps inoperation of the apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of an apparatus for installing aresilient ring-shaped clip within a recipient channel by engagement witha corresponding recess formed therein, in accordance with one embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 10A is a top view of an input of the apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 11 to 16 are cross sectional views of the apparatus of FIG. 10,showing successive steps in operation of the apparatus;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of an apparatus for installing aresilient ring-shaped clip within a recipient channel by engagement witha corresponding recess formed therein, in accordance with one embodimentof the invention, further showing a blowup of a clip stabilizationmechanism thereof;

FIG. 17A is a top view of an input of the apparatus of FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of an apparatus for installing aresilient ring-shaped clip within a recipient channel by engagement witha corresponding recess formed therein, in accordance with one embodimentof the invention, further showing a blowup of a clip stabilizationmechanism thereof; and

FIG. 18A is a top view of an input of the apparatus of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that the disclosure is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The useof “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof hereinis meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalentsthereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms“connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein areused broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings,and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” andvariations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical orelectrical connections or couplings. Furthermore, and as described insubsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical or electricalconfigurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplifyembodiments of the disclosure. However, other alternative mechanical orelectrical configurations are possible which are considered to be withinthe teachings of the instant disclosure. Furthermore, unless otherwiseindicated, the term “or” is to be considered inclusive.

With reference to the disclosure herein and the appended figures, aresilient ring-shaped clip installation method and apparatus will now bedescribed, in accordance with different embodiments of the invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, the apparatus and methods described hereinprovide for facilitated installation of a ring-shaped clip, such asC-clip 10, within a receiving channel 12 defined within a structure 14by engagement with a corresponding recess 16 formed within the receivingchannel 12. For instance, in the illustrated example of FIG. 1, the clip10 consists of a C-clip (also known as a circlip or snap ring) which,upon being radially compressed (i.e. by reducing the circumferentialspacing between the clip's free ends) and coaxially aligned with thereceiving channel 12, can be inserted and axially displaced thereinuntil engagement thereof with the recess 16, which in this example,consists of an annular recess or groove that circumscribes the receivingchannel 12 and within which the clip 10 can be relaxed and thus engaged.The installation of the clip 10 thus provides an internal structure forlimiting, for example, axial displacement of subsequent structures (notshown) to be installed within the receiving channel 12 without limitingrotation of such structures. It will be appreciated that while thefollowing exemplary embodiments contemplate the installation of C-clipswithin corresponding grooves at least partially circumscribing asubstantially cylindrical channel, as shown in FIG. 1 for example, otherclip, recipient channel and corresponding groove shapes and sizes may bealso be considered herein without departing from the general scope andnature of the present disclosure, as will be readily apparent to theperson of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the followingdisclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 2, and in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention, an example of an apparatus for installing resilientring-shaped clips will now be described. In this embodiment, theapparatus, generally referred to using the numeral 100, provides forfacilitated installation of a ring-shaped clip, such as C-clip 102,within a recipient channel 104 defined within a recipient structure 106,by engagement with a corresponding recess 108 formed within this channel104. For example, in this embodiment, the recipient channel 104 consistsof a piston pin bore having an annular recess formed therein and atleast partially circumscribing same, within which the c-clip is to beengaged to restrict axial displacement of a subsequently installedstructure therein without limiting the free rotation thereof within therecipient channel. It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan thatthis embodiment provides one example as to the application of theherein-described embodiments of the invention, and that such embodimentsshould not be limited to this example but rather, should be understoodto encompass other applications as will be readily apparent to theperson of ordinary skill in the art.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the apparatus 100 generally comprises a clipdelivery structure 110 having a delivery channel 112 formed therein forcoaxial alignment with the recipient channel 104. The delivery channel112 generally defines an input 114 for receiving the clip 102 unbiasedand coaxially aligned with the delivery channel 112, a conicallyconverging portion 116 for radially biasing the clip 102 upon axialdisplacement of the clip 102 therethrough, and an output 118 shaped andsized for delivery of the radially biased clip 102 to the recipientchannel 104. For example, in one embodiment, the delivery structure 110may comprise a jig shaped and sized for cooperative alignment with therecipient structure 106 in coaxially aligning the delivery channel 112with the recipient channel 104, thus facilitating clip installation.

A clip delivery mechanism 113 is also provided, consisting in thisexample of a piston, plunger or the like, which can be activated toengage the clip 102 at the input 114 and axially displace the clip 102through the delivery channel 112 and recipient channel 104 untilengagement of the clip 102 with the recess 108.

In this particular embodiment, the apparatus 100 further comprises anoptional clip feeding mechanism 120 for feeding successive clips 102 tothe input 114 for delivery to successive recipient channels in amanufacturing chain, for example. For instance, in this example, theclip feeding mechanism 120 comprises a retractable piston or plunger 122that is activated to push successive clips 102 provided in its path froma stack thereof 124 toward the input 114. Other clip feeding mechanismswill be readily apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art andshould thus be considered to fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

In this particular embodiment, the apparatus 100 further also comprisesan optional retractable input cover 126 that, upon deployment, definesan input slot 128 for guiding receipt of successive clips 102 providedvia feeding mechanism 120, so that such clips 102 are received at theinput 114 unbiased and coaxially aligned with the delivery channel 112.Clearly, in this particular embodiment and as will be described below,the retractable cover 126 is retracted prior to activation of the clipdelivery mechanism 113.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 9, operation of the above-describedembodiment will now be described. In FIG. 2, the input cover 126 isdeployed thereby defining input slot 128, and the clip feeding mechanism120 is retracted and ready for deployment of clip 102 toward the slot128. The clip 102 is then advanced through the slot 128 (FIG. 3),positioned unbiased and coaxially aligned with the delivery channel 112at the input 114 (FIG. 4) where it is rested upon the conicallyconverging portion 116 ready for installation (FIG. 5).

In desirable conditions, the clip 102 rests unbiased and coaxiallyaligned with the delivery channel 112, in part, at least in thisembodiment, due to the provision of the retractable input cover 126,whereby, once the cover 126 is retracted, the clip delivery mechanism113 may be deployed to axially displace the clip 102 through thedelivery channel 112 and recipient channel 104 for engagement withrecess 108. In embodiments devoid of an input cover 126, or even in thecontext of this embodiment where an input cover 126 is provided anddeployed, it may be that the clip's 102 orientation is altered at theinput 114, for example as depicted in FIG. 6. Namely, it has beenobserved that while the provision of a retractable input cover 126, asdepicted herein, promotes proper clip 102 input alignment andorientation, the clip 102 is occasionally disturbed upon retraction ofthe cover 126, resulting in improper alignment and orientation of theclip 102. In such cases, and as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, when the deliverymechanism 113 is deployed to engage and axially displace the disturbedclip 102, the clip 102 may be bent, warped and/or dislodged at the input114, often leading to further clip 102 damage during axial displacementthereof through the delivery channel 112 (e.g. see FIGS. 7 and 8),and/or in a misaligned final installation of the clip 102 within therecess 108, as shown for example in FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment will be describedthat promotes proper alignment and orientation of the clip 102 at theinput 114, thus mitigating at least some of the challenges presented bythe above embodiment, and other such technologies. In this embodiment,an apparatus, generally referred to using the numeral 200, provides forfacilitated installation of a ring-shaped clip, such as C-clip 202,within a recipient channel 204 defined within a recipient structure 206,by engagement with a corresponding recess 208 formed within this channel204. For example, in this embodiment, the recipient channel 204 againconsists of a piston pin bore having an annular recess formed thereinand at least partially circumscribing same, within which the c-clip 202is to be engaged.

The apparatus 200 generally comprises a clip delivery structure 210having a delivery channel 212 formed therein for coaxial alignment withthe recipient channel 204. The delivery channel generally defines aninput 214 for receiving the clip 202 unbiased and coaxially aligned withthe delivery channel 212, a conically converging portion 216 forradially biasing the clip 202 upon axial displacement of the clip 202therethrough, and an output 218 shaped and sized for delivery of theradially biased clip 202 to the recipient channel 204. For example, inone embodiment, the structure 210 may comprise a jig shaped and sizedfor cooperative alignment with the recipient structure 206 in coaxiallyaligning the delivery channel 212 with the recipient channel 204, thusfacilitating clip installation.

A clip delivery mechanism 213 is also provided, again consisting in thisexample of a piston, plunger or the like, which can be activated toengage the clip 202 at the input 214 and axially displace the clip 202through the delivery channel 212 and recipient channel 204 untilengagement of the clip 202 with the recess 208.

In this particular embodiment, the apparatus 200 further comprises anoptional clip feeding mechanism 220 for feeding successive clips 202 tothe input 214 for delivery to successive recipient channels in amanufacturing chain, for example. For instance, in this example, theclip feeding mechanism 220 again comprises a retractable piston orplunger 222 that is activated to push successive clips 202 provided inits path from a stack thereof 224 toward the input 214.

In this particular embodiment, the apparatus 200 again further alsocomprises an optional retractable input cover 226 that, upon deployment,defines an input slot 228 for guiding receipt of successive clips 202provided via feeding mechanism 220, so that such clips 202 are receivedat the input 214 unbiased and coaxially aligned with the deliverychannel 212. Clearly, in this particular embodiment and as will bedescribed below, the retractable cover 226 is retracted prior toactivation of the clip delivery mechanism 213.

In this embodiment, and with added reference to FIG. 10A, the apparatus200 further comprises a clip stabilization mechanism 230circumferentially disposed about the delivery channel 212 for releasablystabilizing coaxial alignment of the unbiased clip 202 at the input 214,which automatically disengages upon axial displacement of the clip 202by the clip delivery mechanism 213. For example, in this embodiment, theclip stabilization mechanism 230 comprises one or more magnets 232 (e.g.three in this embodiment) circumferentially disposed about the input 214to the delivery channel 212, such that upon delivering a clip 202thereto, the magnets 232 provide a substantially radial magnetic forcethat retains the clip 202 in its intended position and orientation whilethe input cover 226 is retracted and until the delivery mechanism 213 isdeployed. Upon the delivery mechanism 213 engaging the clip 202 andapplying an axial force thereto, the clip 202 and magnets 232 areautomatically disengaged, thereby allowing the clip 202 to be deliveredby the delivery mechanism 213 through the delivery 212 and recipient 204channels for engagement with the recess 208. In this particularembodiment, the clip stabilization mechanism 230 comprises threecircumferentially spaced-apart magnets 232, however, it will beappreciated that different numbers of magnets 232 disposed and/orgrouped in different configurations, may be considered herein withoutdeparting from the general scope and nature of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 16, operation of the above-describedembodiment will now be described. In FIG. 10, the input cover 226 isdeployed thereby defining input slot 228, and the clip feeding mechanism220 is retracted and ready for deployment of clip 202 toward the slot228. The clip 202 is then advanced through the slot 228 (FIG. 11), andpositioned unbiased and coaxially aligned with the delivery channel 212at the input 214, where it is further engaged by the magnets 232 of clipstabilization mechanism 230 as it rests upon the conically convergingportion 216 ready for installation (FIG. 12).

As shown in FIG. 13, the clip feeding mechanism 220 is retracted as isthe input cover 226, allowing the clip delivery mechanism 213 to bedeployed. Given the provision of clip stabilization mechanism 230, theclip 202 remains coaxially aligned and oriented with the clip deliverychannel 212 until axial engagement thereof by the clip deliverymechanism 213, upon which point, the magnetic clip stabilizationmechanism 230 is automatically disengaged as the clip 202 is axiallypushed through the clip delivery channel 212 (FIG. 14), where it iscontracted through the conically converging portion 216 and deliveredthrough the output 218 to the recipient channel 204 for engagement withthe recess 208 (FIG. 15). The installation complete, the clip deliverymechanism 213 is retracted and the apparatus is ready for use insubsequent clip installations (FIG. 16), as applicable.

It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan that upon providing theclip stabilization mechanism 230, as described herein, it may becomeless relevant to also provide a retractable input cover 226, though suchprovision may still be considered as an option to further encourageproper alignment and orientation of the unbiased clip 202 at therecipient channel input 214. Similarly, the above embodimentcontemplates an automatic clip feeding mechanism for repetitiveoperation and clip installation within a manufacturing chain, however,it will be appreciated that other implementations, for example operatedfor the installation of a single clip, or in other similar contexts, mayalso be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 17A, and in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention, an apparatus, generally referred to usingthe numeral 300, for installing a ring-shaped clip as described above,will now be described. The apparatus 300 is similarly configured as thatdescribed above with respect to apparatus 200 depicted in FIGS. 10 to16, however, in this embodiment, the clip stabilization mechanism 330comprises one or more resiliently retractable structures, such asspring-loaded bearings 332, extending radially within the deliverychannel 312 proximal the input 314 and shaped to mechanicallycircumferentially engage the clip 302 at the input 314 and resilientlyretract upon axial displacement of the clip 302 against the retractablestructures by the clip delivery mechanism 313. For example, in thisembodiment, three circumferentially spaced-apart spring-loaded bearings332 are disposed about the delivery channel input 314 such that uponfeeding the clip 302 to the input 314, the clip 302 can rest on thedeployed bearings 332, thus favouring an optimal coaxial alignment andorientation of the clip 302 with respect to the delivery channel 312.Upon deployment of the clip delivery mechanism 313, which applies anaxial force on the clip 302, the stabilization mechanism is disengagedby way of the clip 302 being pushed past the spring-loaded bearings 332that automatically retract under the force applied to the clip 302. Theclip delivery mechanism 313 is then able to pursue its course inpositioning and engaging the clip 302 with the recess 308, substantiallyas described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 18A, and in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention, an apparatus, generally referred to usingthe numeral 400, for installing a ring-shaped clip as described above,will now be described. The apparatus 400 is similarly configured as thatdescribed above with respect to apparatus 200 and 300, however, in thisembodiment, the clip stabilization mechanism's 430 one or moreresiliently retractable structures comprise circumferentiallyspaced-apart arms or plungers 432 extending radially within the deliverychannel 412 proximal the input 414 and shaped to resiliently retractupon axial displacement of the clip 402 against the retractablestructures by the clip delivery mechanism 413. As in the above example,three circumferentially spaced-apart spring-loaded plungers 432 aredisposed about the delivery channel input 414 such that upon feeding theclip 402 to the input 414, the clip 402 can rest on the deployedplungers 432, thus again favouring an optimal coaxial alignment andorientation of the clip 402 with respect to the delivery channel 412.Upon deployment of the clip delivery mechanism 413, which applies anaxial force on the clip 402, the stabilization mechanism 430 isdisengaged by way of the clip 402 being pushed past the aptly shapedspring-loaded plungers 432 that automatically retract under the forceapplied to the clip 402. The clip delivery mechanism 413 is then able topursue its course in positioning and engaging the clip 402 with therecess 408, substantially as described above.

It will be appreciated that other mechanically implemented clipstabilization mechanisms may be considered herein to provide a similareffect, without departing from the general scope and nature of thepresent disclosure. Namely other shapes and orientations of retractablearms/plungers may be considered, as can other mechanically implementedmeans for stabilizing orientation of an unbiased clip at the input whileautomatically disengaging upon deployment of the clip deliverymechanism.

As introduced above, the installation of c-clips is common for retainingwrist pins in piston and connecting rod bores, namely as the provisionof c-clips allows for an axial constraint on movement of the wrist pinswhile maintaining their ability to rotate within the bore. While thisprovides one field of application for the provision and installation ofring-shaped clips, it will be appreciated by the person of ordinaryskill in the art that other applications may readily apply, and that,without departing from the general scope and nature of the presentdisclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments of theinvention could also be readily applied to the installation of othertypes of ring-shaped clips, which may for example, have different shapesand/or sizes. For example, a D-shaped clip could be installed within acorrespondingly shaped receiving channel, as could other shapes bereadily conceived and applied by the skilled artisan without departingfrom the general scope and nature of the above disclosure. Namely, whilethe provision of a C-clip may limit axial displacement while allowingfor free rotation of a subsequently installed shaft, collar or the likewithin a correspondingly shaped and sized receiving channel, theprovision of other shaped clips within correspondingly shaped receivingchannels may again limit axial displacement of subsequently installedand correspondingly shaped shafts or collars, even if such shapes maynot equally allow for a free rotation thereof within the channel.

While the present disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments,the disclosure is not so limited. To the contrary, the disclosure isintended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangementsincluded within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scopeof the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation soas to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for installing a resilientring-shaped clip within a recipient channel by engagement with acorresponding recess formed therein, comprising: a clip deliverystructure having a delivery channel formed therein for coaxial alignmentwith the recipient channel, said delivery channel comprising an inputfor receiving the clip in said delivery channel, a conically convergingportion for radially biasing the clip upon axial displacement of theclip therethrough, and an output shaped and sized for delivery of theradially biased clip to the recipient channel; a clip delivery mechanismfor axially displacing the clip through said delivery channel andrecipient channel until engagement of the clip with the recess; and aclip stabilization mechanism for stabilizing the clip in said deliverychannel in substantial coaxial alignment with said delivery channel, anddisengaging the clip upon axial displacement of the clip by said clipdelivery mechanism, said clip stabilization mechanism comprising one ormore magnets secured to said clip delivery structure.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein said one or more magnets are circumferentiallydisposed about said delivery channel for magnetically radially engagingthe clip.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more magnetscomprises two or more circumferentially spaced-apart magnets.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein said two or more circumferentiallyspaced-apart magnets comprises at least three circumferentiallyspaced-apart magnets.
 5. An apparatus for installing a resilientring-shaped clip within a recipient channel by engagement with acorresponding recess formed therein, comprising: a clip deliverystructure having a delivery channel formed therein for coaxial alignmentwith the recipient channel, said delivery channel comprising an inputfor receiving the clip in said delivery channel, a conically convergingportion for radially biasing the clip upon axial displacement of theclip therethrough, and an output shaped and sized for delivery of theradially biased clip to the recipient channel; a clip delivery mechanismfor axially displacing the clip through said delivery channel andrecipient channel until engagement of the clip with the recess; and aclip stabilization mechanism for stabilizing the clip in said deliverychannel in substantial coaxial alignment with said delivery channel, anddisengaging the clip upon axial displacement of the clip by said clipdelivery mechanism, said clip stabilization mechanism comprising one ormore resiliently retractable structures that extend radially within saiddelivery channel proximal said input and are shaped to resilientlyretract upon axial displacement of the clip against said retractablestructures by said clip delivery mechanism.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein said one or more retractable structures comprises one or morespring-loaded bearings or one or more spring-loaded arms.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a clip feeding mechanism forfeeding successive clips to said input for delivery to successiverecipient channels in a manufacturing chain.
 8. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising a retractable input cover defining an input slotfor guiding receipt of said clip at said input, said retractable inputcover being retracted prior to activation of said clip deliverymechanism.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said recipient channelcomprises a piston pin bore.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein therecipient channel is defined within a recipient structure, and said clipdelivery structure comprises a jig shaped and sized for cooperativealignment with the recipient structure in coaxially aligning saiddelivery channel with the recipient channel.
 11. The apparatus of claim1, wherein said input is shaped and sized for receiving the clipunbiased and substantially coaxially aligned with said delivery channel.12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said clip stabilization mechanismis circumferentially disposed about said delivery channel at said input.13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said clip stabilization mechanismis adapted to automatically disengage the clip upon axial displacementthereof by said clip delivery mechanism.
 14. An apparatus for deliveringa resilient ring-shaped clip to a recipient channel for engagement witha corresponding recess formed therein, the apparatus comprising: adelivery structure having a delivery channel formed therein for coaxialalignment with the recipient channel, and comprising an input forreceiving the clip, a conically converging portion for radially biasingthe clip upon axial displacement of the clip therethrough, and an outputshaped and sized for delivery of the radially biased clip to therecipient channel; and a clip stabilization mechanism for stabilizingthe clip in substantial coaxial alignment with the delivery channel, anddisengaging the clip upon application of an axial force to the clipresulting in an axial displacement thereof through said deliverychannel, said clip stabilization mechanism comprising one or moremagnets secured to said clip delivery structure.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein said one or more magnets are circumferentiallydisposed about said delivery channel for magnetically radially engagingthe clip.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said one or moremagnets comprise two or more circumferentially spaced-apart magnets. 17.An apparatus for delivering a resilient ring-shaped clip to a recipientchannel for engagement with a corresponding recess formed therein, theapparatus comprising: a delivery structure having a delivery channelformed therein for coaxial alignment with the recipient channel, andcomprising an input for receiving the clip, a conically convergingportion for radially biasing the clip upon axial displacement of theclip therethrough, and an output shaped and sized for delivery of theradially biased clip to the recipient channel; and a clip stabilizationmechanism for stabilizing the clip in substantial coaxial alignment withthe delivery channel, and disengaging the clip upon application of anaxial force to the clip resulting in an axial displacement thereofthrough said delivery channel, said clip stabilization mechanismcomprising one or more resiliently retractable structures that extendradially within said delivery channel proximal said input and are shapedto resiliently retract upon axial displacement of the clip against saidretractable structures by application of said axial force.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein said one or more retractable structurescomprise one or more spring-loaded bearings or one or more spring-loadedarms.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the recipient channel isdefined within a recipient structure, and said clip delivery structurecomprises a jig shaped and sized for cooperative alignment with therecipient structure in coaxially aligning said delivery channel with therecipient channel.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said input isshaped and sized for receiving the clip unbiased and substantiallycoaxially aligned with said delivery channel.
 21. A method forinstalling a resilient ring-shaped clip within a recipient channel byengagement with a corresponding recess formed therein, comprising:coaxially aligning a clip delivery channel with the recipient channel,said clip delivery channel conically converging to a shape and sizecorresponding with that of the recipient channel; positioning the clipin said delivery channel; releasably stabilizing the clip in substantialcoaxial alignment with said delivery channel by magnetically engagingsaid clip; and applying an axial force to the releasably stabilized clipto axially displace the clip through said conically converging deliverychannel, thereby radially biasing the clip and delivering the radiallybiased clip through the recipient channel until engagement thereof withthe recess.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising feedingsuccessive clips for positioning in said delivery channel, for deliveryto successive recipient channels.
 23. The method of claim 21, whereinsaid positioning step comprises positioning the clip unbiased in saiddelivery channel.
 24. An apparatus for installing a resilientring-shaped clip within a recipient channel by engagement with acorresponding recess formed therein, comprising: a clip deliverystructure having a delivery channel formed therein for coaxial alignmentwith the recipient channel, said delivery channel comprising an inputfor receiving the clip in said delivery channel, a conically convergingportion for radially biasing the clip upon axial displacement of theclip therethrough, and an output shaped and sized for delivery of theradially biased clip to the recipient channel; a clip delivery mechanismfor axially displacing the clip through said delivery channel andrecipient channel until engagement of the clip with the recess; a clipstabilization mechanism for stabilizing the clip in said deliverychannel in substantial coaxial alignment with said delivery channel, anddisengaging the clip upon axial displacement of the clip by said clipdelivery mechanism; and a retractable input cover defining an input slotfor guiding receipt of said clip at said input, said retractable inputcover designed for retraction prior to activation of said clip deliverymechanism.